Red Squirrel Conservation Priorities in the UK Nick

Red Squirrel Conservation Priorities in the UK Nick Leeming Chairman – Northern Red Squirrels (Northumberland) Northern Red Squirrels

Overall objective To re-establish the red squirrel in the UK • Practicalities of eradication • Thoughts on national strategy Northern Red Squirrels

Methods of control • Free shooting on sight (thermal imaging) • Target shooting of greys at feeders • Live trapping • Kill trapping using feed or chemical lure • Fertility control: using standard squirrel feeder • Fertility control: using grey-only squirrel feeder • Pine martens as predators Northern Red Squirrels

Northumberland Northern Red Squirrels

Landscape type - cities and large towns Northern Red Squirrels

Landscape type - rural and sub-rural areas with small towns and villages Northern Red Squirrels

Landscape type - sparsely populated agricultural areas with little woodland Northern Red Squirrels

Landscape type - sparsely populated agricultural areas with much woodland Northern Red Squirrels

Landscape type - large areas of forest Northern Red Squirrels

Area type Control method Free shooting Target shooting Live trap Kill trap (greyonly areas) Fertility control standard feeder Fertility control greyonly feeder Pine marten cities, large towns No Limited Yes, gardens Yes No rural and subrural Yes Limited Yes Yes No Yes Yes ? ? Limited to fringes Yes, if pine martens absent Yes agricultural areas with little woodland agricultural areas with much woodland unpopulated forest

Thoughts on the future… • No more reviews, time wasting • Immunocontraceptive is key • Involve communities – local champion vital • Professional Rangers essential • Anticipate and plan for adverse public reaction • Red squirrel sanctuaries Northern Red Squirrels

Thoughts on the future… • Maintain and augment existing red areas • Work in from peninsula and coasts in grey areas • Work out from red areas • Reintroduce reds in safe zones • Or promote immunocontraceptive use everywhere all at once? • Post-eradication monitoring and clean-up • Use modelling to estimate which is best Northern Red Squirrels

Thoughts on the future… • Best methods for territory • Use large scale field trials • Prior to approval of immunocontraceptive? • Appropriate data • Standard operating procedures • Change in the law? • Continuous monitoring of red and grey distribution Northern Red Squirrels

Conclusion • Eradication of grey squirrel (at least on regional basis) is key • Immunocontraceptive probably essential for success • Appropriate techniques for different landscapes • Community involvement and professional Rangers essential • Must always be professional, humane and low-key • Intensive follow up to prevent recolonization • Red squirrels at dedicated sanctuaries for future release Northern Red Squirrels

Thank you! nickleeming 65@gmail. com